METAIRIE – Just because the New Orleans Saints have won three of their last four games, sit atop the NFC South and appear to be hitting their stride as they enter the second half of the season, doesn't mean they're quite ready to say their "swagger" is back.

"It's too early, man. I mean when you're 4-4 you can only have so much swag(ger)," said safety Kenny Vaccaro.

Head coach Sean Payton said roughly the same thing, but added an important distinction: "Confidence is something that is ongoing and it can be fleeting in one game," he remarked.

Payton warned that it's important the Saints guard against "fooling" themselves about the things they have to do to improve each week — win or lose.

In fact, he said his team is just as "desperate" as its next opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, whom the Saints host Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in the first of three consecutive home contests.

"We're excited about now and receiving a chance to come back home. I think it can be significant for us," he said. "I think it's a difficult place to play and it's a new start."

The Saints realize the 49ers will be a tough test despite coming to town the losers of two straight, including a heartbreaker on Sunday, when quarterback Colin Kaepernick lost a fumble inside St. Louis' 1-yard line in the game's final moments. Because both teams are 4-4, Payton is confident each will play with a distinct sense of urgency.

"Someone's going to be 4-5 and the other team's gonna be 5-4," Payton said. "We'll get a very hungry team because coming off of a loss, it's something else. There's a reason they've had the success they've had. They've played in a lot of big games, playoff games, their expectation similar to ours is to be successful and have a chance at playing for something that's real significant."

While he echoed some of his coach's sentiments, Saints quarterback Drew Brees didn't put much stock in the 49ers recent struggles.

"I don't think there is any good time to play them," he said. "Listen, they are a good football team. The fact that they've lost the last two games, we know that feeling around here because it happened to us just a little bit earlier in the season."

"You know the type of sense of urgency there is in their locker room. I would say our sense of urgency nears that as well. It is going to be a great football game."

While the Saints are winners of 11 consecutive home games, and 20 with Payton on the sideline, the 49ers hold the league's best road record (19-9) since 2011 — a stat several Saints were quick to highlight Wednesday.

For Payton, though, the home winning streak means little come Sunday. Like his players, he is far more focused on the 49ers and the challenges they pose.

"There's a lot of stuff that's gone into that (streak) and none of its applicable for this weekend's game…you have to prepare knowing that we have to play a better game than last Thursday," he said. "(With the 49ers),you're looking at the winningest team in the NFC and second in the NFL."

Though Payton may have dismissed the importance of the home-winning streak, he's well aware the New Orleans faithful create a hostile environment that's one of the most challenging in the NFL. Still, Payton seemingly chose to egg on the local fan base, saying it can always be louder and more disruptive – a point he also made after the Week 8 win over Green Bay.

"I think that was a big part of some of our success we've had in the past here, the challenge it creates for communication," he said. "Hopefully Sunday will be better."